Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's nationally recognized best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by that tailgate staple, Bud Light.
It's almost time. My stomach is already churning in anticipation. I'm not gonna bore you here with idle chatter. Don't forget the WV blue laws and stock up on Saturday for Sunday's game. Have a great weekend and...
Let's GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What You May Have Missed:
Coach Talk With Dana Holgorsen - WVMETRONEWS.COM
In this new weekly series on WVMetroNews.com, Mountaineer head coach Dana Holgorsen will go inside the opposition and breakdown how his team is doing in practice. "Coach Talk" is part of the Dana Holgorsen Statewide Sportsline.
Observations from Holgorsen's Inaugural Radio Show - WVMETRONEWS.COM
WVU has plans for Coal Bowl pregame festivities - Charleston Daily Mail
The pregame and in-game production at Mountaineer Field will feature old and new elements this football season, according to Matt Wells, West Virginia University's director of sports marketing.
WVU football: Holgorsen always ready for opener - Charleston Daily Mail
"The advantage in that style of play was the players had so many reps prior to the first game that they felt like they'd been in the system a year or two already," said Oklahoma State Coach Mike Gundy, who hired Holgorsen from the Cougars to invigorate his offense.
Football: Gold-Blue Mini Tickets Gone - MSNsportsNET.Com
West Virginia University Ticket Manager Debby Travinski has announced that the Gold-Blue mini ticket packages are sold out for the 2011 season. Single game tickets remain for home contests with Norfolk State, Bowling Green, Connecticut, Louisville and Pitt.
Tweet Tweet - MSNsportsNET.Com
Some of Jed Drenning's tweets with random, yet interesting facts around the Mountaineers, HCDH and this weekend's opponent
MSN Fall Sports Menu Unveiled - MSNsportsNET.Com
Pravda will have daily videos of various topics on a set schedule, usually at noon
College Football Quarterback Award Fan Vote - Vote O'Brien
Vote as often as you like for Geno (once daily) once the site fully opens on Sept. 6
Building For The Future - BGN
West Virginia's 2011-12 basketball schedule was just announced, but while the Mountaineers are putting things together for this year, they also continue to keep an eye on the future.
Huggins ready to grind it out - Charleston Gazette
Coach says European trip helped prepare young team for difficult season
News of Note:
Game Preview: Marshall Seeks Revenge at WVU - WVillustrated.com
You’ll have to forgive Doc Holliday if he tries to get dressed in the wrong locker room or coach from a sideline that belongs to a team other than his own Sunday. For the first time in his career, he will be a visitor to Mountaineer Field.
Herd vs. Holgorsen - Charleston Gazette
MU was a winner when WVU coach was at Houston in ‘08
Extend Coal Bowl series? Just do it - Charleston Daily Mail
Um, Jack....NOOOOOOOOOOO
WVU tailbacks, receivers, ACC games and a slow series death - Charleston Gazette
Vingle's Notebook
Running backs make 1st appearance on depth chart - Register-Herald
Morrison's Notebook
WVU has running backs to spare - Big East Blog - ESPN
Noel Devine has left West Virginia, but the Mountaineers are arguably in a better place at running back headed into this season.
True freshmen with the skills to play right away - Rivals.com
WVU's RBs are listed
Jury still out on WVU backfield strength - Charleston Gazette
Adelson and Rivals love it, but Hickman isn't convinced
WVU notebook: Geno Smith’s running days may be over - Charleston Gazette
If this offense does what it's supposed to do, they are
Quarterback Geno Smith - Mountaineer TV
Geno Smith talks about executing on offense from the start, and the excitement of putting the new offense into play.
WVU receivers catching on quick this season - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Junior Tavon Austin and redshirt sophomore Stedman Bailey turned criticism from WVU coach Dana Holgorsen into starting roles for this season.
WVU line takes aim at doubters - Times West Virginian
I think my concerns will be abated, I still worry about depth though
WVU sack specialist Irvin set for full-time chaos - Martinsburg Journal/AP
Bruce Irvin is back on West Virginia's defensive line, and this year he's no longer a part-time player.
WVU nose guard moving forward - Charleston Daily Mail
Jorge Wright, who Tuesday was confirmed as the starting nose guard when No. 24 WVU opens the season Sunday at home against Marshall, seeks to answer those with his play. He wants no other resolution.
Defensive Lineman Jorge Wright - Mountaineer TV
Jorge Wright talks about the improvements he's made since the spring.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big East: What to watch - Big East Blog - ESPN
Week 1 is here. So what should you be watching in the Big East?
Big East Football Power Rankings: Week One - The UConn Blog
West Virginia leads the way in the first poll of the year.
Louisville football struggles past Murray State, 21-9 - Courier-Journal
Syracuse football team rallies late, tops Wake Forest 36-29 in overtime - Post Standard
USF notes: Teammates reward Daniels' commitment - Tampa Tribune
Wide-open Buffalo to test Pitt defense - PPG
UConn Punter Cole Wagner Working On Pooch Punt - Hartford Courant
Cincinnati Bearcats Football: Previewing Austin Peay (No For Real This Time) - Down The Drive
100 Absolutely Certain Thoughts For The 2011 College Football Season - SBNation.com
From EDSBS's Spencer Hall...well worth the read (and WVU gets a few mentions)
College GameDay Kickoff: Week 1 preview - ESPN
What's On Tap:
Fordham Rams vs. Connecticut Huskies - ESPN
Noon Saturday from the Rent on ESPN3. Huskies are giving 38.5.
South Florida Bulls vs. (16) Notre Dame Fighting Irish - ESPN
3:30 pm Saturday from South Bend on NBC. Irish are giving 11.
Buffalo Bulls vs. Pittsburgh Panthers - ESPN
6 pm on Saturday from the Ketchup Palace on ESPN3. Pitt is giving 31.
Austin Peay Governors vs. Cincinnati Bearcats - ESPN
7 pm Saturday from the Nip on ESPN Gameplan & ESPN3. Cinci is giving 43
Marshall Thundering Herd vs. (24) West Virginia Mountaineers - ESPN
3:30 pm Sunday from Motown on ESPN/ESPN3. Eers are giving 23.
Tailgate Recipe of the Week:
Time to re-break out the Bacon Explosion (click on the image for assembly and cooking instructions):
Videos of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Somehow this song overdub is appropriate:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is an American actress who recently brought Mystique to the screen, before that, she was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in Winter's Bone (resisting the urge for a porn joke here). Check out the video and gallery (linked by the picture) below of the lovely Jennifer Lawrence.
Despite the title it's SFW (unfortunately)